Korea Startup Forum(KSF), the organizer of the Global Startup Festival COMEUP, announced the official launch of their online business matching platform on July 18th. The platform aims to facilitate connections between startups and potential business partners, including venture capitalists, accelerators, and corporates.
The existing business matching program of COMEUP platform limited users to primarily meet onsite and within the duration of the main event. However, individuals can now effortlessly explore and engage with their preferred companies at any given moment and location, increasing investment opportunities. This initiative expands opportunities for global engagement across various regions, including North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
The platform is available on COMEUP’s official website. Startups and investors who want to participate can register their profiles and apply for meetings with their desired companies or investors. Startups gain access to investors’ main business areas and portfolios, while investors can review startups’ presentations, current investment rounds, and total funding amounts. When mutual interest is established, a meeting is scheduled to finalize the connection.
Already, over 900 startups, including notable ventures like ‘Draph’ (AI image generation service), ‘Bering Lab’ (AI-based machine translation tools for legal and IP industries), and ‘Lansik Inc’ (weight loss solution using a Continuous Glucose Monitor), have registered on the COMEUP online business matching platform. These startups represent more than 50 countries, including the United States, France, Norway, and Japan. Additionally, over 100 prominent venture capital firms, such as 500 Global, Logitech, Vertex Growth, Mashupangels, Bluepoint, and FuturePlay, have also joined the platform.
Sungjin Choi, CEO of KSF, said “We are launching the online business matching platform to assist early-stage startups facing challenges in connecting with investors to create new business opportunities at COMEUP.” He added, “We will continue to improve the platform so that COMEUP becomes more than just an event, but a vehicle to support continuous and enriching meetings between startups and investors.”
“COMEUP 2023” is scheduled to be held at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) from November 8th to 10th. This year, COMEUP has placed a strong emphasis on globalization by assembling its largest advisory board and establishing a dedicated global division. The “COMEUP Stars” acceleration program recently selected 150 companies and underwent significant reorganization to strengthen its role in fostering early-stage startups. On August 18th, the promising startups of the Rookie League, known as ‘COMEUP 100,’ will participate in the preliminary pitching competition.